FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 4, 2010

For further information, contact:
Paul Niedzwiecki, Executive Director
Cape Cod Commission
(508) 362-3828
www.capecodcommission.org
Email: pniedzwiecki@capecodcommission.org

Michael Durand, NSTAR
Phone: 508-441-5831
Email: michael.durand@nstar.com

BARNSTABLE COUNTY, MA -- The Cape Cod Commission and NSTAR announced today that they have reached agreement through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources on a delay of the implementation of NSTAR's plan to use herbicides to clear vegetation from utility rights-of-way on Cape Cod.

The agreement calls for postponement of the application of herbicides until 2011. In the meantime, the Cape Cod Commission will work with interested towns to confirm the location of drinking water supplies and sensitive areas within and adjacent to the rights-of-way. The Commission will map these resources and provide the information to NSTAR and affected municipalities to ensure the resources are properly identified.

"By better identifying sensitive natural resources in the rights-of-way, we can ensure the environmental protection of our drinking water supply, a sole source aquifer," said Commission Executive Director Paul Niedzwiecki.

"Barnstable County's primary concern is the health and safety of our residents, wildlife, and drinking water supply," said Barnstable County Commissioner Sheila Lyons. "I thank NSTAR for its willingness to work with us to allow the County the time to ensure that sensitive resources are properly located and mapped, and I thank Commissioner of Agriculture Scott Soares for his willingness to agree to the postponement."

"Reaching this agreement with the Cape Cod Commission is an important step in the future success of our right-of-way maintenance program on the Cape," said David Polson, NSTAR's Manager of Distribution Construction. "We're proud of our record as environmental stewards and good corporate neighbors, so we appreciate the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Department of Agricultural Resources, the Commission and other local officials to address specific areas of concern. We look forward to beginning this process so that we can continue to meet our commitment to providing reliable electric service to our customers."

In early 2011, NSTAR will begin the public notification process for implementation of the company's Yearly Operational Plan and the Integrated Vegetation Management Plan approved by the Department of Agricultural Resources.

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